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Afghanistan
Quick Reaction Forces Transferred to Badakhshan
2021-10-15
[ToloNews] The Islamic Emirate deployed a group of quick reaction forces to the northeastern province of Badakhshan to maintain security for the people and to protect the borders, local officials said.

The new quick reaction forces are reportedly equipped with modern light and heavy weapons.
Part of the supply the Americans left behind, no doubt.
Local officials in Badakhshan province said that the quick reaction forces have been trained for two months
...perhaps they should be called Instant or RediMix instead...
and are ready to provide security along the borders and beside local residents.

"Afghanistan wants to have a powerful army as other countries have," said Nesar Ahmad Ahmadi, the deputy governor of Badakhshan.

The local officials also called for a strong army in the country.

"Every country has the right to have a powerful army and Afghanistan also needs to have an army that can defend its borders," said Sher Ahmad Jawad, the head of the Vice and Virtue office in Badakhshan.

Several residents of Badakhshan province welcomed the forces. "The forces who are trained will be effective in maintaining security in Badakhshan," Abdul Baes Hakimi said.

Badakhshan is located in the northeastern part of Afghanistan and shares a border with Tajikistan.
Related:
Badakhshan: 2021-10-07 Kabul Seeks Diplomatic Approach to Reduce Tensions With Dushanbe
Badakhshan: 2021-10-07 Thanks, Joe! Taliban Gives Tajik Jihadis U.S.-Made Weaponry and Vehicles
Badakhshan: 2021-10-07 Will Chinese PMCs appear in Turkestan?
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Afghanistan
Afghanistan warns of 'disaster' as virus infections surge
2020-06-07
[NEWS.YAHOO] Afghanistan is running out of hospital beds as suspected cases of coronavirus (aka COVID19 or Chinese Plague)
...the twenty first century equivalent of bubonic plague, only instead of killing off a third of the population of Europe it kills 3.4 percent of those who notice they have it. It seems to be fond of the elderly, especially Iranian politicians and holy men...
 surge, officials said on Saturday, warning "there is a disaster coming" in the impoverished country.

Afghan health authorities reported 761 new positive cases of COVID-19 over the past 24 hours, taking the total number of confirmed infections to 19,551.

"Our (hospital) beds are almost full, we won't have any more capacity very soon," Health Minister Ahmad Jawad Osmani told news hounds.

Officials said the number of cases were more than expected, including in the capital Kabul, the epicentre of the disease.

"There is a disaster coming," said Kabul governor Mohammad Yakub Haidary at a joint presser with the health minister.

He said in Kabul alone there could be a million people infected with the deadly virus.

So far there have been 327 confirmed deaths in the country.

"We have reports of increasing suspected deaths, people burying dead bodies at night," Haidary said.

"We fill 10-15 ambulances of dead people every day."

The virus's spread has surged amid a nationwide lockdown that residents have largely ignored, with many daily wage earners taking their chances with the disease rather than lose a day's work.

But the minister said that from Sunday the authorities will strictly impose measures like wearing face masks and maintaining social distancing for the next three months in order to curb the spread of the virus.

Experts say that Afghanistan is able to test only about 20 percent of its daily suspected coronavirus cases.

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) said in a statement Tuesday that "between 80 to 90 percent of potential cases are not being tested", citing figures provided to them by the health ministry which said between 10,000 and 20,000 samples were being received per day.

The charity warned that Afghanistan was on the brink of a health crisis after confirmed cases spiked by 684 percent in May.

Afghanistan has one of the highest rates of tests coming back positive -- about 40 percent -- the IRC said, indicating high levels of undetected infections.

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India-Pakistan
PPP-PML-N 'alliance' responsible for current crises: Imran
2012-07-31
[Dawn] Pakistain Tehrik-e-Insaf
...a political party in Pakistan. PTI was founded by former Pakistani cricket captain and philanthropist Imran Khan. The party's slogan is Justice, Humanity and Self Esteem, each of which is open to widely divergent interpretations....
 (PTI) chief Imran Khan
... aka Taliban Khan, who ain't the sharpest bulb on the national tree...
 on Monday declared 'alliance' of Pakistain People's Party (PPP) and Pakistain Moslem League-Nawaz (PML-N) responsible for current crises in the country, DawnNews reported.

Speaking to a ceremony for giving party's membership to MNA Afzal Sindhu, Khan reiterated that the PTI will not join hands with any party currently sitting in the parliament.

He said that both major parties (PPP and PML-N) will become minor, once the caretaker government is setup. Khan alleged that the both parties have forced people to remain loyal to them by threatening them of filing criminal cases against them.

Earlier, the PTI chief, while inaugurating the party's media cell at its central secretariat in Islamabad, said media plays vital role in making or breaking the situations and therefore it is a very sensitive area to deal with.

Jehangir Tareen,
... who sounds like he holds soup...
Saifullah Niazi
Saifullah Nazi?
and Naeem-ul-Haq were also present on the occasion.
"We're here! Make sure you spell our names right!"
"Media is an integral part of any political party. It must utilise its resources and potential to make it an effective medium for the party and in general," said Khan.

Earlier, Ahmad Jawad, head of media cell welcomed the party chairman and gave formal introduction of his team.
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Syria-Lebanon-Iran
Authorities Clash with Terrorists in Aleppo Countryside
2012-07-10
(SANA) -- The authorities on Monday clashed with an armed terrorist group at the outskirts of the town of Daret Azza in Aleppo
...For centuries, Aleppo was Greater Syria's largest city and the Ottoman Empire's third, after Constantinople and Cairo. Although relatively close to Damascus in distance, Aleppans regard Damascenes as country cousins...
 countyside.

A source at the province told SANA's correspondent that the clash resulted in considerable losses among the terrorist and the destruction of 8 4WD cars equipped with machineguns used by terrorists.

The source said that some of the bully boyz who were identified as Sobhi Abdelmajid Lattouf, Ahmad Jawad Taqesh, Sobhi Ahmad al-Zanna,Ammar Oter Khalasi and Sobhi Majed Taqesh.

Military Engineering Units Dismantle IED in Aleppo

The military engineering units on Monday dismantled an improvised bomb (IED) planted under a car at the al-Firdous area in Aleppo city.

SANA's news hound quoted a source at the province as saying that the device weighs 4 kg and was set to be remotely detonated.

11 Explosive Devices Dismantled in Idleb

The engineering units dismantled 7 bombs planted by an armed terrorist group on al-Mastouma-Ariha road near Nehlia village, weighing between 50-75 kg.

Two other bombs weighing between 40-50 kg on Ariha-Jisr al-Shughour road, and two others weighing between 40-50 kg on Tal Zajram-al-Hakoura road in al-Ghab area were dismantled.

A source in the governorate told SANA news hound that the bombs were rigged for remote detonation to attack civilians and law-enforcement members.

Competent Authorities in Idleb Countryside Thwart Terrorist Infiltration Attempt from Turkey

The competent authorities in Idleb foiled on Monday an infiltration attempt by an armed terrorist group across the Syrian-Turkish borders at Ein al-Bayda-Bakseria site.

An informed source in the governorate told SANA news hound that the competent authorities clashed with the terrorist group and inflicted heavy losses on the terrorists, adding that two terrorists: Mohammad al-Sheikh Bakkour and Ibrahim Berro were placed in durance vile
You have the right to remain silent...
 while the rest fled into the Turkish territories.

The source added that the competent authorities seized weapons from the terrorist group.

Competent Authorities Inflict Heavy Losses on Armed Terrorist Group in Ariha

The competent authorities inflicted heavy losses on an armed terrorist group that attacked civilians and law-enforcement members in Ariha city in Idleb countryside.

A source in the governorate told SANA news hound that the bully boyz Mazen Jazzar and Mohammad Faou'r were among the dead, adding that weapons and ammunitions were seized.

Two law-enforcement members were martyred and others injured.

Two Terrorists Killed in Daraa

The bully boyz Mohammad Rahmoun and Hussein Rahmoun were killed while they were preparing bombs in Basr al-Harir in Daraa countryside.

A source in the governorate told SANA news hound that that an bomb went off as it was prepared by the two terrorists, causing their immediate death.
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Afghanistan
Taliban Leader Denies Setting Fire to Schools
2011-03-29
[Tolo News] Mullah Omar, the Taliban leading leader, denied setting fire on schools and attacks on common locations by the Taliban.
"Wudn't me."
In his latest comments the Taliban leader said Afghan government and Nato should provide evidence on their allegations.
"Yeah. Da witnesses are all dead!"
Experts say Mullah Omar's comment is an indication of fragment within the Taliban groups. "Within the Taliban some Death Eater groups have shaped under the influence of al-Qaeda which means a part of the Taliban have begun to turn more Death Eater compared to traditional Taliban," Wahid Muzhda, an Afghan political analyst, said.

But Afghan citizens frustrated by the Taliban attacks say the Taliban have begun to target civilian locations recently. "Each suicide kaboom has led to the death of innocent Afghan civilians and nobody cares about it," said Ahmad Jawad Fazel, 24, who lives in Kabul.
We at Rantburg care, but news of that isn't likely to have reached the Afghan interior.
As part of the government outreach to the Taliban, Karzai formed high peace council to convince the Taliban to prepare for peace talks.

Mullah Omar dismisses the Taliban attacks on common locations as the Taliban claim responsibility to the suicide attacks right after they happen.

In the latest suicide attack in Barmal district of Paktia province, which targeted a road construction company, 20 road construction personnel were killed and fifty others were hurt.
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Afghanistan
Afghanistan Needs US Permanent Military Bases
2011-03-06
[Tolo News] Afghanistan is in need of US permanent bases for security and peace, former Afghan Intelligence Chief has said at a joint presser.

Afghan experts said establishment of US permanent military bases would stop regional countries from interfering in Afghan affairs.

Establishment of US permanent bases in Afghanistan and withdrawal of foreign troops in July this year have turned into controversial issues, while officials in Washington and commanders in the field have denied that any decision has been made in this connection.

"Presence and establishment of US permanent bases in Afghanistan would be a warning to neighbours and they will come to know that they are no longer able to intervene in Afghan domestic affairs directly," Ahmad Zia Nikbeen, an Afghan political analyst, told TOLOnews.

At a joint presser, former Afghan interior minister with former Afghan spy chief highlighted that the government should not act sentimentally about establishment of permanent bases.

"Our nation needs a responsible politicianship, not political mania. We should decide responsibly about our interests," former Afghan interior minister Hanif Atmar said.

"Western countries could help us build economic fundamentals," said former spy Chief Amrullah Saleh.

But Mark Grossman, the newly appointed US Special envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistain, says the United States has no intention to set up permanent military bases in Afghanistan.

Afghan citizens in Kabul hold different opinions about establsihment of US permanent bases.

"A forum should be formed to discuss whether it is beneficial or not," Karim Halimi, an Afghan student at Kabul University, said.

Another Afghan citizen, Ahmad Jawad, told TOLOnews, "I think formation of permanent bases would bring Afghan illusory sovereignty under question.

At a meeting with Afghanistan's Caped President Hamid Maybe I'll join the Taliban Karzai, holy mans said establishment of such bases in the country wouldn't be beneficial to the country considering regional sensitivities.
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Afghanistan
Kidnapped Chinese engineers freed in Afghanistan
2010-04-26
KUNDUZ: Two Chinese engineers working on a road-building project in northern Afghanistan have been freed several months after being abducted, an Afghan provincial government spokesman said on Sunday.

Ahmad Jawad Bedaar, spokesman for the governor of Faryab province, said the engineers had been held for about three months and were freed in a rescue operation on Saturday. He said no ransom had been paid, but gave no further details of the release and did not identify the abductors. The abduction of foreigners and Afghans for ransom has become a serious hazard in rural parts of Afghanistan. The Taliban have also made political demands in some cases.

The Chinese engineers had been working on a road project in Faryab in Afghanistan's northwest. China has a number of economic projects in Afghanistan, including a multi-billion-dollar copper mining deal that is Afghanistan's largest outside investment.
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India-Pakistan
Two terrorists held in Islamabad
2009-04-22
[The News (Pak) Top Stories] The Islamabad Police late on Monday announced the arrest of two hard-core terrorists from the federal capital who were acting as planners and facilitators for carrying out acts of terror in the city.
They'll be released soon for lack of evidence, as soon as the witnesses are all dead...
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Islamabad Tahir Alam Khan said Khairullah Mehsud, a resident of South Waziristan, who was living in Sector G-9/2 was arrested by the law enforcing agencies from F-9 Park. According to the official sources the intelligence agencies have traced Khairullah Mahsud's links with terrorist groups in South Waziristan, which he developed after the Lal Masjid incident. "He was in contact with Gul Bahadur in South Waziristan and Misal Khan in Akora Khattak. During the course of investigations Khairullah made certain revelations, which eventually led to the arrest of another terrorist identified as Khurram Shahzad son of Lal Afzal who had undergone terrorism training at the camp of a banned terrorist organization," the SSP said. He said Khurram Shahzad had visited the tribal areas as well as Hangu, Bara and Peshawar quite frequently and during those visits he had taken 'recruits' from Islamabad for training in camps established by the terrorist groups there.

The SSP said Khurram Shahzad and other 'recruits' who accompanied him on those visits, got training to handle explosive materials, especially making lethal 'oil canister' bombs. "These people were also engaged in reconnaissance of the target areas where they later carried out acts of terror, inflicting loss of life and property. Their links to the suicide attack at the entrance of Special Branch offices in Sector G-7 as well as with the bloody attack at the FC barracks in the 'Green Belt' between Sectors F-7/3 and E-7 have been established," SSP Tahir Alam Khan said.

He also said that Khurram Shahzad facilitated a suicide bomber, Ahmad Jawad to reach the capital from South Waziristan. "He himself brought an explosive-laden jacket from Mulla Sabir whom he met in Hangu a few days back. He then handed over it to another person at the Pirwadhai General Bus Stand," the SSP said.

He said that the culprits have confessed having planned to kidnap important personalities from Islamabad and carry them to the tribal areas. "This particular group had been enjoying strong backing from the terrorists based in Hangu, Bara, Peshawar, South Waziristan and different areas of Swat," SSP Tahir Alam claimed.
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